Fort Greene Park is a big green hilly square, covered in old trees and lush grass. It has a little bit of something for everyone: HISTORY - The park was built over forts from the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The crown of the park is the Prison Ship Martyr's Monument, that marks the lives of 11,000 people held captive by the British in ships in Wallabout Bay. PLAYGROUNDS - two, one on the south east corner for 5 and under and one on the west side that is good for all ages. The south east playground has a water sprinkler, four swings, and play equipment. The west side playground has a big kid playground with two ten foot high lookout towers, a water sprinkler shaped like a compass, six bucket swings, and a toddler sized playground. The west side playground also has bathrooms, which are well... used frequently. RANGER STATION - The station has restrooms, water fountains outside, and an assortment of critters (corn snake, stick bugs, gold fish). You can pick up a map to follow the "Tree Trail," bird watching brochure, or nature scavenger hunt. A junior ranger program also supports kids and teens in the neighborhood. The station is next to a mini fort that invites kids to climb, play look out, and creates a little space to gather. FARMER'S AND MAKER'S MARKET - Saturday Mornings! A great selection of veggies, fruit, flowers, honey, cider, baked goods, clothing/compost drops. Vendors leave when things sell out. Makers markets seem to rotate, but there's usually coffee, jewelry, baskets, clothing, soap, perfume, and something for dogs. VOLUNTEERING - Fort Greene Park Conservancy organizes gardening and community events that always need a hand. DOG POLICY - while there is no official dog park, there is a very robust dog community that shows up at off leash hours (before 9am and after 9pm). Park rangers will patrol at 9am sharp to enforce leashes on. Lawns open for off leash hours will rotate seasonally to help the grass grow. Please be a responsible pet owner, it can get rowdy. SPORTS - a basketball court and calisthenics equipment (Myrtle side), tennis court (middle), abundant hills for sledding in the winter. JOGGING - the outer perimeter of the park has a jogging trail, people tend to go counterclockwise. Its a mile and there are hills. Runners tend to be respectful. Path is dirt and gravel. EVENTS - summer movie nights! hop along andrew playing music for the kids! musical events! Drum line practice! Buskers! Dog costume contest for Halloween! Dance workshops with Cumbe! Holiday Tree lighting! NATURE - lots of huge old trees, well kept gardens and pollinator flower beds. Look out for the hawks that nest here in spring, woodpeckers, and song birds. BBQ and PICNIC TABLES: BBQ is Myrtle side of the park. Additional picnic table on the east side, Washington and Willoughby, north of the baby playground. First come first served, there is no reservation system. read more

I've been to this park a handful of times, but this past weekend--was my longest experience here. Attended the Spike Lee event here. It was wonderful, filled with people but everyone came with good spirits. The park is relatively large and eggs lots of portable bathrooms. The center of hr park was packed with people, so we set up shop moreso on the outside looking in. The park seemed to have a little of everything you need. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

so many hills LOL not for the weak but nonetheless it was lovely to stroll and people watch and go to eat and see the flea markets

Great park, grew up in the neighborhood!! Used to ride my bike with my dad and mom n brother when we were young!!! Excellent dog park !!!! My puppy met so many nice doggies to play with!!!! read more

Possibly one of my favourite parks in America. Clean, beautiful, and just hilly enough to work on my calves and bum bits. You'll love the flowers here. It's so well kept. Yesterday 100 tuba players gathered here and blew their brass. Weird, yet cool. Only in New York! I've used their restroom once. Decent. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Fort Greene Park is a great oasis in the trendy area of Ft. Greene Brooklyn. It's pretty large with walking trails and plenty of green (no pun) space to sit and have a picnic or simply enjoy the day. It's well maintained, as sections are periodically reseeded so the grass is always nice. I believe there are a few hours early each morning where dogs are allowed off leash for some fun running around. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Fort Greene Park is a historian landmark which sits Downtown Brooklyn, it has a Barbecue area, dog friendly space, free WiFi hot spots, tennis areas, basketball court, sprinklers, swings and sliding boards, and when it snow it's definitely the place to be with a your sled. In addition to being well lit and safe, it is the home of MANY events including the Soul Summit which commenced in 2002. Every summer Soul Summit....this free, open-air event unites thousands of people under the spell of house grooves and club classics. Outside the entrance of Fort Greene Park, the Fort Greene market serves the community year-round including fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, cheese, baked goods, and a variety of sustainably raised meat, and dairy products are available as well as wine pressed from Long Island grapes. Fort Greene Park's history dates back to the Revolutionary War. The remains of 11,500 Revolutionary War Patriots and the body of the caretaker were placed in the crypt below the steps at Fort Greene Park. It is more than a park it is a memorial, surrounded by the tree lined neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill. read more

Fort Greene Park - Did you know under those steps lies the remains of over 11,000 Revolutionary War Heroes? Welcome to Fort Greene Park. - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Came here for the farmers market and ate our lunch in the park. Found a nice shady area in the grass. Highly recommend Brooklyn dosa project. Ghee masala was very crispy and flavorful and they also made us a baby dosa. read more

Even for Fort Greene Park's small size, when it comes to music and so many things, this place has a lot going for them- it's almost unfair. When other bigger parks charge for concert series or busting moves, Fort Greene's are free! Hubs had always sworn by this park ever since he lived in Brooklyn back in the late 80s to 90s for local House Music DJs spinning their vinyl. Then Soul Summit Music series started up and they were definitely part of our lineup. Use any entrance- but we usually go for the Dekalb Ave side for easy access right to the music crowd. Hubs and I never frolicked long enough anywhere in the park- all we do is hook up with friends and break a sweat with House Music on Sunday's in the summer. But if you want to have a real low key picnic- I guess this park will do. Listen...It's not a black thing. It's not a white thing. When you come here- ESPECIALLY for the House Music- it's just one. #MusicIsUniversal. read more

Fort Greene Park - Dusk In BK - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Went to go see the screening of Citizen Ashe here. Beautiful park in the evening with friendly atmosphere. They have tennis courts and ample space to sit/lay down. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the view from every angle of the park while having lunch

Great place to visit , history and great place to see live jazz on Saturdays . Enjoyed the jazz and historical sites. Nice park to enjoy . read more

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Since the start of social distancing, I've been visiting Fort Greene Park more and more with my dog, and I've been loving it. Fort Greene Park is one of the larger parks in Brooklyn (but tiny compared to Prospect Park) and boarders the very cute Fort Greene neighborhood. There are playgrounds, tennis courts, many grassy/hilly lawns, little trails running through the grass, along with a monument that has a paved area and a really large set of stairs leading up to it (Rocky status). I've been going a few times a week to run up and down the stairs with my dog, and it's been a very pleasant experience every time. For those in the area wanting some fresh air during Coronavirus - this might be your spot! It's not *empty* but definitely enough space to safely keep a distance. read more

6 hard courts in great condition - you need NYC tennis permit to play or pay $15 per hour, there is a sign up sheet the day of to register for a court time during the day. The park has lovely grounds sitting atop a hill and decent restroom facilities read more

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Wonderful park in Northwestern Brooklyn, anchoring the community which bears its name. There are fields, hills, recreation and sporting facilities, and meandering paths that wind up and down and around. Take in the view from a bench or kick hackey-sack on a patch of grass. There is plenty of parking on adjacent streets, but lots of cyclists and pedestrians to avoid. I visited on a recent afternoon and parked right at the entrance at Dekalb and South Portland. It soon became clear that the park was packed with people, not all of them wearing masks, not all of them obeying social distancing. If you go, be cautious, and you should still be able to have a good time. read more

Fort Greene neighborhood's backyard! I love Fort Greene Park and the (more) local community you see in it especially compared to the other bigger parks around the city. On Saturdays, you can strolls through lines of vendors at the Grow NYC market. On weekend afternoons, you'll often find a yoga class taking place on the grass. On Wednesday mornings, you'll find a cheery group of adults working out and playing together (s/o to NP). This park holds so much for the community despite being a smaller, lesser known one. The only real con I have is that this is not a park meant for biking. By this park, you'll find plenty of coffeeshops, a couple bookstores, resturaunt, an ice cream store, and a few other squares to sit in so plenty to do if you decide to make a morning, afternoon, or evening of it. Cheers to FG! read more

I attended a beautiful baby first birthday party (many similar celebrations occurring nearby) held at a small fenced-in area that included a mini cannon! This spot, immediately adjacent to the Fort Greene Park Visitor's Center with well-kept restrooms inside, is an ideal location for a gathering. Facing the Center is the solemn Prison Ship Martyrs monument (built to commemorate thousands of American prisoners who died on British ships during the American Revolutionary War). Aside from occasional walkers, joggers and bikers, the area felt quite peaceful and secluded, even on a Saturday afternoon. read more

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Last but certainly not least in my reviews of NYC comes Fort Greene Park. With one of the largest housing project in NYC (Walt Whitman Houses) next to studios renting for $2500 a month next to homes that cost way more than I'm sure I can imagine ("if you have to ask you should probably stay in milwaukee:)"), this area is a crossroads of subway lines and feels like a crossroads of the city itself. You might not know it if you've never been here, but one of my favorite reasons for visiting this part of the country and city (certainly not the only reason:) is strangely enough all the Revolutionary War history here. This park was originally Washington Park, and the Battle of Long Island happened here (meaning this part of Brooklyn.) Fort Greene Park is a memorial and resting place for the remains of the soldiers left in prison ships off Wallabout Bay, left to die due to "neglect" at the end of the war. The monument with their remains sits at the top of a huge staircase offering a strange view of Manhattan. Up until 1950 a staircase inside the monument allowed access to the top of the tower (you can still see a balcony around the top) but that's sadly been permanently removed. The top of the stairs at the base of the tower still offer great views though. After looking at a map, I'm never sure how the freedom tower is visible over the line of trees. I crossed through this park many times going from one part of Brooklyn to another, and I think its best described through a series of scenes taken in through my comings and goings: 1.) a park ranger (a la type seen at the statue of liberty scene in the movie Splash,) talking to visitors. 2.) A class of kindergarteners, having a great time running through the park in the rain, while trying to still follow the buddy system rules and keep holding the hands of their designated "buddy". 3.) An older lady who glared at me when I gave some friendly squirrels part of my Dough donut. I thought maybe I wasn't supposed to be feeding the squirrels, until I saw the squirrels all run away from me towards said lady, who suddenly scattered a handful of breadcrumbs out of her pocket. (Sorry, lady, I'll get my own squirrels.) 4.) A woman dressed in sweats, looking like she hadn't exercised in a while, on a mission, who walked past me at the top of the stairs, and then proceeded to do a very slow jog in a little circle in the area at the top of the stairs. She had a lot of heart. Part of the park looked under renovation, and a sign outlined said plans (see picture.) Either way, it is a great place to visit while in the 5 Burroughs. read more

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I released my latest video for my YouTube channel Play NYCe which is devoted to the many parks and playgrounds in NYC. Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn balances history, open space and community like few other places in NYC. Please check it out and like if you can. #playnyce #fortgreenepark #youtubechannel #brooklyn https://youtu.be/IYXgks3AmVQ read more

Fort Greene Park - https://youtu.be/IYXgks3AmVQ - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

It's no Prospect Park, but that also means it doesn't draw the same crowds many of us are avoiding in pandemic times. Still, Fort Greene Park is sprawling, with so much wide open space for picnicking, frisbee throwing, biking, & prime people watching. There are even public restrooms that are * relatively * clean which is not a small detail when you're planning to spend long stretches of time outside. When staying outdoors is one of the only low risk ways to socialize, a good park with a good bathroom is good to have in your back pocket. In the summer, folks come out to play live music every night so visiting this park feels like an activity in itself. Not a bad stand in for most of us NYers without access to private outdoor space. read more

Y'all missed ittttttttt!!!! Soul Summits House Music Festival on Aug 12th! I'm late for my review but had to tell y'all how much absolute SWEATY FUNKY WET RAIN DRENCHED fun I had dancing my ass off! I hope some of you made it and have fond memories to look back on! Natural High! read more

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Beautiful park its located in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn and Downtown Brooklyn area , Near Myrtle avenue and Dekalb avenue , its very convenient near Brooklyn hospital and Cumberland Diagnostics & Clinic Center (Hospital) and near Walt Whitman houses and Fulton street mall & City Point shopping building and Downtown Brooklyn Financial center, and a nice summer day walk 15 to 25 minutes walk to the Barclays Center from fort Greene park . and not too far from Wegman's Supermarket and near Junior's Cheesecake store right near Long Island University Brooklyn Campus (Track and field -Football field) . It's beautiful park not so huge as Prospect Park or But gives you the outdoor life amazing . I'll defeteniely recommended to come to this park froe fresh breathe air ......and breathe that nice Brooklyn air , " this park have lot of trees . like well known story "a tree grows in Brooklyn " very convenient by the mta transportation: subway : B,Q,R-Train. Dekalb avenue train station. or 2,3,4,5-Train.Nevins Street train station. bus: B41,B38,B57,B25,B26 etc buses read more

I love this park. Pros: -smaller so it's easy to locate people if you're meeting up with friends. -has lots of big trees offering plenty of shaded areas which is really nice. -has tennis courts for you to get your workout on. -paths and sidewalks that make it good for a simple walk/run/jog around the park. -there are picnic tables and a plethora of benches plus all the grassy, hilly areas. No shortage of seating at this park! During the summers, the Fort Greene conservation group offers lots of fun, free things like jazz festivals and movies in the evening. I've done the movie a few times and they're a blast. One of the best parts is that the sound is great even if you end up at the back of the seating area so you don't have to stress to get there quickly. If you're able to get there, definitely take advantage of this little place! read more

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Mixes opinion about this park. The good: when you are surrounded by so many buildings and barely see any green of fresheners, this park is a real bless. The bad: if this park gets so popular, and so many people come here every day, it is sad that this is all they have. Nice park, can't say I was amazed. I am guessing that in Brooklyn's terms, this park is amazing. In my book it is just OK. read more

I see it's another summer of garbage and weed at Fort Greene Park gearing up. Tonight I was there and there were at least 4 couples laying on top of each other as if it were their bedroom, drinking beer, drunk, and throwing crumpled cans all around the place. Disgusting. None of them were speaking English. Another group grilling with fire by the children play ground area (!)....garbage all over the place including flaming tin foil in the grass. Totally safe. And more non English speaking guys openly smoking stench weed on the monument benches where there's aLOT of people. Illegal. But that's what you get when... read more

This is a beautiful park located directly next to The Brooklyn Hospital Center which works out perfectly if God forbid you get injured during a run. Speaking of which, I come here to do a run/jog from time to time. I love the fact that two loops around this park is equivalent to 1 mile. This makes it easier to keep track of my distance completed. There are a huge set of stairs that I've also ran up and down in the past. I love the side areas to get a workout in (lounges, squats, etc.). This park is ideal to come to on warm days, however, coming here when it is chilly works out well due to the scenery and big trees. read more

I live 2 blocks from this park. I love this park. It is where Spike Lee does his MJ tributes each summer. It is where local bands perform. There is usually some reggae involved. I also run in this park. But this park will kick your ass when you run here. There are lots of hills, bends and turns. It is a true work-out. I also love that they have an obelisk. Its nice to stare at it after a good run. I have seen lovers here sharing a bench and kisses. I have seen writers here creating their great manuscript. I have seen skateboarders here doing their tricks. I have seen musicians here toying with their instruments. I have seen dancers here just getting their groove on. I have seen dogs and their owners here happily bonding. I have seen families here laughing and making good memories. I have seen runners all pushing their way up the hill. No pain, no gain. I have seen people doing shady things here. To each his own. What I love about this park the most is all the people and watching life happen. Life is just amazing and oh so curious! read more

I have an affection for this park I'd never be able to describe in words. There's a little tree just off and ahead of the children's playground area. It's a pretty small tree. Other trees around it stand tall and proud. Come October, this tree transforms itself into a fire engine red peacock of leaves. This tree comes even more alive than any of its neighbors. You can see this tree from across the park, its red leaves giving it such personality, such character. For only two to three weeks at most, we all enjoy our tree. Then the leaves fall and the tree is just a small tree again. But those who know this tree, and this park, know. And we will see the tree again next season. I have an affection for this park I would never be able to describe in words. Please come visit this tree...and Fort Greene Park. read more

Fort Greene Park - What we see every morning... - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is a small park located between Dekalb and Myrtle Avenues in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Lots of things to love about this place: -farmers market every Saturday that is busy but not too crowded like in prospect park -heaven for dogs...tons of dogs every morning before 9 am! Dog owners are very friendly and welcoming -cool view from the monument on top of the hill of lower Manhattan skyline, the monument and steps also often a great spot for a picnic or drink -they have a fort Greene tree walk where you can follow signs to learn about the different types of trees growing here -lots of stairs building up to the the monument which is great for exercise! -nice running/walking loop around the park -two playgrounds (one at Dekalb and Washington, the other around Myrtle and St Edwards) Love this park! read more

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Excellent park. 1) The Prison Ship Martyr's Monument is amazing! 2) This Brooklyn park can compete with any major park in Manhattan. 3) Beautiful and well kept. read more

Fort Greene Park - Prison Ship Martyrs Monument - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Fort Greene Park is one of the nicest parts of living in the Clinton Hill / Fort Greene neighborhood. Since being reclaimed by the residents and dog owners of the neighborhood, the name Fort Greene no longer strikes the feeling of fear it once did, and deserved to have. For anyone growing up in New York in the 1980's and 1990's, it is likely Fort Greene would not have been on their list of places to go, but all that has changed. Fort Greene is another one of Olmstead and Vaux (of Central Park and Prospect Park fame) creations, and like its bigger siblings, it does not disappoint. Each entrance gives the park a much different feel, with the use of elevation changes and landscape features to create different "rooms." Also you can experience all the park has to offer on a leisurely walk and without a map or GPS. Depending on what part of the park you are in, it is many parks in one. I go mainly to take my dog for the off-leash hours; to socialize with the community's dog owners as well as to let my dog exercise and play with his friends. While it is a great spot to let our dogs run free for a few hours, it is not as secure as a dedicated dog run, so be prepared to be somewhat vigilant and watchful of your pet. There have been a few times when some of the pack have run out into the street.... There are two playgrounds, a large field, and then other areas of nooks and meadows where you can get some privacy on a warm summer day. The park has tennis courts for those with permits and there are often free events given in the park during the summer. The monument area is a nice place to sit and read and catch a cool breeze off of the navy yards. Saturday is Green Market day, and while it may not be as extensive as the Union Square Market, you can definitely find some great local choices. Rexcroft Farms is a stand out and there are many choices for baked goods as well. It is too bad that NYC wasn't planned with more public space like Fort Greene. read more

Fort Greene Park - 7/31/2010 String Orchestra of Brooklyn. Free concert in the park. - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Nice park in beautiful area of Brooklyn. Run up and down the stairs jamming to Eye of the Tiger like you are Rocky Balboa! Sit against a large concrete ball overlooking Manhattan and read the latest NY Times Bestseller. Take interesting photos of yourself interacting with the phallic tower smack in the middle of the park! Grab a coffee at Smooch and walk your dog along the piles of falling leaves. Cut through the park to save time if in a haste. Fort Greene park adapts to your lifestyle whatever that lifestyle is! I was in the neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised to find this oasis and enjoy a stroll through on my way back into Manhattan. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great park to do lots of activities. If you want to burn off the calories from what you just ate from the local restaurants around the area then this is a great place to do it. There are different scenic views from the park looking from a vast distance such as the Empire State Building, Freedom Tower, and Manhattan Bridge. I can't tell you where it is but you will have to look for it. The terrain to run or walk is a little hilly but there is plenty of space and field area if you want to just hang around. Speaking of hanging around there is a little park where children can play, swing, and slide. The main attraction of the park is the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument that looks like a column. Oh and there are people buried underneath as a crypt of those lives that were lost. It's not a huge park like Prospect or Central but its perfect for the Fort Greene district. read more

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. With slopes for sledding, trails for following and fabulous views for viewing, Fort Green may be my new favorite park in NY. It's sprawling, has interesting architectural elements and plenty of nooks for fun physical activities like soccer, running or a game or bocci. Nice. Right near the memorial, there's a great, huge stairway that, if you stand at the top, gives you a spectacular view of Manhattan. I wad there at dusk, which made it even more dramatic and beautiful. The park is also surrounded by residences, which gives it a quietness and cleanliness that I actually found a bit surprising for NYC -it was almost like a collective back yard. Lovely. Lots of kids, families, and fun happening throughout - definitely a great place for a post-meal walk or a mid-day hangout. read more

Cool NYC park. I don't always feel like running on the street (between cars, pedestrians and perverts it can be hard to focus on the running itself) and don't always want to trek out to prospect or the west side highway path (both great places to run but it can become kind of an event). There are lots of hills if you're feeling keen and if not, a path has been created (probably by other runners) on the grass where things are flatter. I will say that some parts of this path are rather rough and if you don't have good shoes you can def fall or hurt yourself-it's a small area though and I haven't had an issue yet. There are always other runners and people walking their dogs or playing wth their kids so I feel safe (young girl in NYC running around in a tank top in the summer...need I say more?) and, of course, it's always nice to actually smell grass. Not to mention the farmers market just outside on Saturdays. Happy to have access to this gem. read more

Vibe: very family-friendly, lots of parents with their kids and people walking their dogs I adore this park! It's not too big but it has a visitor's center so you can get a sense of the nature and history around the area. There's a huge monument in the middle as well. It also has a recreational area with some basketball hoops, a small playground and picnic tables. Benches are scattered throughout the park if you need a spot to sit down and relax. There's also various paths for runners (which is why I come here!) - a loop around the park's outer edge is a little more than half a mile. There's a Citi Bike stop right next to the park as well! read more

Fort Greene Park - Map of the park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A strange park; emphatically and stringently square in form. Plonked down rudely and awkwardly down among a higgeldy-piggedly, ramshackle assortment of odd-shaped, odd-sized (and very run-down) Brooklyn commercial buildings surrounding it on every side. A steep park. Very daunting grassy slopes rise immediately from the sidewalk. As you enter you must climb. The curvature heads one-knows-not-where. It is like trudging up the sides of an enormous cake. It is not a park to set a timid foot in, or one where you simply want a handy bench to rest upon. ("Forward!" he cried, and pointed to the shore.) You must forge forward out of necessity. There's no sitting down, not unless you want to roll back downhill like a donut. A pleasant park. For the most part. Lots of trees just as one would expect--however, they are mostly of a dull and uninspiring order. The usual nondescript maples. Un-dynamically arranged. No clever geometry. A few odiferous gingkos (foreigners!) and a few gentle and stately sycamores (the bare minimum gesture for a feeling of 'canopy'). But sycamore trees are always pleasing to the peepers; very good to meet them here. A walking park. Numerous interconnected asphalt trails criss-cross and swoop around the the layer-cake like swirls of icing. Mommies and au-pairs, your strollers and kiddie-caravans are welcome. But the once-smooth bitumen has badly eroded and now, is no longer smooth underfoot. Tread warily, (and DO NOT let go of the handles. Those noxious brats of yours will accelerate immediately downhill, hurtle across the sidewalk, and into oncoming traffic). A grassy park. Somewhat. Mighty thin in places; threadbare. Not exactly lush. But the spotty, choc-a-block greenswards are rife with feisty grey squirrels bouncing energetically about, but there are actually a few red-tailed ones in evidence as well. This reporter was startled to encounter the sight of a red-tailed squirrel in the heart of downtown Brooklyn. (On the other paw, no very interesting ornithological observations to make. The park is not much of an aviary. Sparrows and little else. Why? Hey, feathered friends--whaddya sayin', you too good for Ft Greene park?) Plod your way slowly forward. On and on, around and around, ambling and moseying along; a gyre; an oval, an elliptical circuit, a circle in a square; with not much else to see except passing tree trunks...will the center point of this recreational site, be a payoff worth of this slog? Hum. Everything gradually does finally come around to ...what? Well. A quite unusual "grand staircase" built of stone. Reminiscent of the Mayas and Aztecs. Built by the WPA under Roosevelt? Wide and broad; big slabs of concrete; this is the reward for your exertions. Though the concrete here is badly scarred and porous; the centerpiece --breathes some--eh, some forgotten, now-cryptic and inexplicable purpose lost to time, as is usual with New York's oldest civic features. Maybe there were parades and processions here once. Maybe foreign dignitaries were photographed here. Maybe famous baseball sluggers were given the keys to Brooklyn here. Who knows? But this processional mini-boulevard is enormous --and very singular--as it cuts its way up to the crown of the hill with low, seried, staggered, flight of stairs...it is the top tier of the funny cake. And somewhat fun to shuffle around on. The sheer novelty of it, the refreshing break from never-ending sidewalks and office buildings. There are no amazing views. This park has its face turned inward, as it were. Good place for a game of "hackey-sac" with your friends. Good place for a heart-to-heart discussion with your lover. Good place to show up for a Tae-kwan-do challenge or a fitness routine. Good place to make a drug buy, receive blackmail, graft or payola, or mutilate a squealer. A deserted park. Maybe it is thronged in warm weather, who knows? At the bottom of the ghost promenade there is a child's playground and a place for food vendors. But unless vendors or performers draw regular crowds here I reckon Ft Greene park is usually very forlorn-looking (as it was to my eyes when I visited). I myself enjoyed my lunch break here one afternoon, during a weekday, I enjoyed the temporary lull from honking traffic. I enjoyed the lack of signs and neon and blinking storefronts. I enjoyed temporary respite from stupid Brooklyn jerkoffs all yapping away on their cell-phones. I enjoyed the red-tailed squirrels. And the space is probably the only 100' square patch of downtown Brooklyn not currently covered by security cameras. I would visit again... read more

A friend introduced us and I was ready to move-in (to the neighborhood). I don't usually waddle in this part of town so it was such a pleasant surprise just a few blocks from the Brooklyn Downtown Metro Tech center. My friend and I even did the Rocky run up the stairs singing (or humming) the theme. And this was only January, when the place is pretty deserted, but still covered in patches of greenish (more brownish) ground. The park has a set of buildings on the one side (the projects?) but otherwise an undivided line of townhouses so typical of Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope. I can't wait to come back during warmer weather, greener pastures, crowdness. read more

Fort Greene Park - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Nice park you can clearly see the differences between the dekalb side and the myrtle in terms of cleanliness. But i love the stairs and the aesthetics of the park. The tennis court is nice! Very beautiful park though... read more

By far, my favorite park in all of NYC. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central and Prospect Parks. Tennis corts, soccer fields, running path, visitor's center at the top (with restrooms and water fountains, concerts in the summer, farmers markets on Saturdays, great sledding hills in the winter, and plenty of room to lay out in the sun in the summer time. It's also dog friendly! It's one of the only parks in the city in which you can let your dog roam freely from 9am to 9pm. read more

Fort Greene Park - A group of volunteers collecting brooken glass in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn. Photo credit: Steven Matt - Parks Near Me - Brooklyn, New York